Pakistan began preparing for the upcoming WTC cycle: hiring new coaches.

Delhi: Pakistan cricket team has got a new coach for Test format. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made former all -rounder Azhar Mahmood the interim head coach of the Test team. He was already associated with the team as a bowling coach and assistant head coach. Now they will take command of the team for the period of their current contract.

Pakistan team gets a new head coach

Azhar Mahmood has taken this role from Aqib Javed. Aqib Javed temporarily performed this responsibility after leaving the post of Jason Gillespie. Now the first task of Azhar Mahmood will be to prepare Pakistan for the new cycle of World Test Championship 2025-27. This year South Africa’s team will come on a tour of Pakistan, where two Test matches will be played. This will be Pakistan’s first Test series while being the coach of Azhar.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said in its statement, “Azhar Mahmood has a deep game experience. He has been an important part of the team before. He has won the championship twice in England’s county cricket. His strategic thinking and leadership makes him perfect for this responsibility.”

The board hopes that under his guidance, the team will move towards discipline, strength and better performance in Test cricket.

Big News from Pakistan ahead of their #WTC27 Campaign 👀

Detailshttps://t.co/6vyhn5foxn

– ICC (@ICC) June 30, 2025

Azhar Mahmud’s cricket career

Azhar Mahmood has played 21 Tests and 141 ODIs for Pakistan. He scored 900 runs in Tests and took 39 wickets. At the same time, 1521 runs and 123 wickets are recorded in ODIs. His career also includes three centuries and four half -centuries.

He also performed well in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2012 and 2013, he was part of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2015. He scored 388 runs in 23 IPL matches and took 29 wickets.

Now Pakistan is eyeing Azhar Mahmud’s coaching to touch new heights in Test cricket.

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